Dickey said he's seeing sap flow on many trees and shrubs, an indication the plants think it is spring.

Most experts say as long as the temperature drops no lower than 29 degrees for just a couple hours, then most plants should be OK.

A hard freeze, or when the temperature drops to between 25 and 28 for about six hours, can severely damage plants. Temperatures below 25 for longer than six hours can kill trees and shrubs.

Usually there are many cold snaps in late December and January to signal plants and shrubs to harden, or protect themselves from the cold. But that hasn't happened this year.

In the first three weeks of the year, January's average low temperature has been 53.6 degrees, nine degrees above normal. The average high has been 76, six degrees above normal. The average daily temperature has been 64.8 degrees, 7.1 degrees above normal.

Since consistent cold weather hasn't happened this year, some plants are budding and blooming early.

Since most azaleas have just started blooming, Wednesday's potential freeze could also be helpful. While near-freezing temperatures may kill off a few blooms, the cold snap could stall buds from blooming until closer to spring. Gardeners use March 15 as the last frost date to plant.

But after this cold snap, the area could just warm back up and plants could continue blooming. If that happens, Dickey fears that a late February freeze could serve a more serious blow to plants.

“That's what we are all concerned about,” said Heather West, manager of Superior Landscape and Garden Center. Determining which areas of Marion County may hit the freezing mark early Wednesday depends on location.

Since Marion County is the size of Rhode Island, low temperatures can be 3 to 5 degrees colder to the north and west of Ocala, including the city of Dunnellon.

On the flip side, lows are often a few degrees warmer than Ocala from Belleview south and east to the southern Ocala National Forest.

Forecasts range depending on the source.

The National Weather Service issues the area's official forecast, while many people utilize private weather forecast websites — such as AccuWeather, The Weather Channel and Weather Underground — for their weather updates.

On Monday, these four agencies predicted Wednesday morning's low to range between 32 degrees to 36 degrees. The official forecast calls for a low of 35 degrees at daybreak Wednesday.

The weather service's official forecast calls for Wednesday's high to reach 66 degrees. That forecast calls for Thursday's low to be in the upper-30s. Friday's forecast calls for seasonable temperatures, with a morning low in the mid-40s and a high in the mid-70s.

Cathy Weaver, who owned Belleview's Turkey Road Nursery and Designs until she retired two years ago due to a sluggish economy, said once plants have blooms there is not a lot that can be done to protect them. She said if in doubt cover plants with regular blankets. Residents can also go to a nursery or other retailer to buy frost-proof blankets.

“Frost-proof cloths do not absorb water,” said West, who recommends the professional blankets on nights when there could be a hard freeze. “It's reusable. Used properly, a person can get six to 10 years out of them.”

The county's official forecast is issued by the National Weather Service, while the Star-Banner's weather page uses AccuWeather forecasts. Sometimes those predictions differ.

“All it takes is for forecasters to be off a few degrees, so everyone needs to be prepared,” West said.

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.